It started with the Porsche 356 As we all know, the 356 was the first globally sold car made by Porsche, and firmly planted Stuttgart on many an enthusiast’s map. It came in a variety of body styles, including roadster, cabriolet, and coupe, and quickly became one of the favorite...
In a special Assess and Caress episode filmed at Jay Leno’s Garage, Jay and Donald Osborne from the Audrain Museum compare two seemingly similar yet philosophically opposite Porsches: a pristine, original 1959 Porsche 356A “Normal” and a 1956 Porsche 356 transformed by Rod Emory into a bespoke Outlaw. Osborne begins...
Enjoy a close-up experience of the history of Porsche at the Porsche Museum, at night when the museum comes alive! Encounter legendary racing and sports cars, fascinating production models as well as unusual prototypes. More than 80 vehicles will take you from the early years all the way to the...
The America Roadster emerged from the crucible of American racing, guided by influential figures like Max Hoffman and John von Neumann, both firm believers that race results translated directly into showroom demand. In early 1952, Hoffman pushed Porsche to build a weekend racer derived from the 356—something lighter, cheaper, and...
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Introduced in late 1954, the Porsche 356 A Speedster continued as a stripped-down, affordable, sports-oriented convertible within the 356 A generation. Featuring a removable cut-down windshield, a lightweight detachable top, and side curtains instead of roll-up windows found in the 356 A Cabriolet, the Speedster embodied simplicity. Initially powered by...
Following the Pre-A prototypes and a run of quad-cams with the 1500cc engine, the 1600 Carrera GT was a performance 356 that used a larger version of the Porsche 550 Spyder's potent engine. As early as 1958, some Carreras were fitted with a larger engine known as the Type 692. The new unit featured a larger displacement which was better suited for the 1600cc class. Furthermore, it was improved considerably adopting plain bearings and new ignition system.
Porsche 356 SL bodies lined up in the Reutter workshop (Werk 2) in 1951. This facility was used as the Porsche race department in the early days The date was 23 June 1951, and sixty race cars lined up at 16h00 for the start of the nineteenth running of the...
1963 Porsche 356 Carrera 2. When Jay was lucky enough to acquire what he calls “one of the most beautiful driving cars of all time,” he tracked down its former owner and restorer John Willhoit, who revisits the car for the first time since 1977....
1959 – 1963 Porsche 356B/1600 S Notchback Coupe Pictures & Gallery...
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How to Convert a Classic into An Electric Car...
1951 – 1953 Porsche 356/1300 Split-Window Coupe (Pre-A) Pictures & Gallery...
In September of 1959 Porsche revealed their fully updated 356 known as the 356B. This had a completely revised body that was more suitable for the American market. The 1600 Super was also known as the 1600 S and that is what we are covering on this page. The 1600 Super sat in the middle of the lineup, below the Super 90 and above the base 1600. There were several variants with the base 1600 S engine, including the Coupe, Cabriolet, Notchback Coupe and Roadster, across both the T5 generation and T6 generation.
The Porsche 356 SC, was the top-of-the-line variant in terms of performance for the 356 C Generation, sporting the highest specific output pushrod 4-cylinder engine ever available from Porsche with 107 HP. The SC engine produced 107 bhp at 5200 rpm and featured a stouter counter-weighted crankshaft, short skirt pistons, a more radical camshaft configuration, and large Solex carburetors. The SC was the natural successor of the previous generation Super 90 and represented the top-of-the-line variant for the final evolution of the Porsche 356.
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1950 – 1951 Porsche 356/1100 Split-Window Coupe (Pre-A) Pictures & Gallery...
1956 – 1957 Porsche 356A/1300 Super Speedster Pictures & Gallery...
When Porsche went to Le Mans, they reverted to aluminum shells made at their first factory in Gmünd, Austria. Three of these coupes, called 356 SL, raced Le Mans. All three Le Mans cars were shipped to America by Max Hoffman and sold to Fritz Kosler, Ed Trego and John von Neumann for SCCA racing. Before the 1952 races at Torrey Pines, von Neumann had Emil Diedt remove the coupe's roof, creating in effect the first Carrera Speedster.
Porsche: The Carrera Dynasty by Glen Smale © Glen Smale A Spanish noun, ‘carrera’ can mean road, track or race and since the 1970s ‘Carrera’ has been a model name synonymous with Porsche. In fact, and as the author explains, Porsche had been using the name ‘Carrera’ since 1954 to...
1956 – 1958 Porsche 356A/1600 Speedster Pictures & Gallery ...
1950 – 1951 Porsche 356/1100 Split-Window Cabriolet (Pre-A) Pictures & Gallery...
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Drawing heavily from the Gläser-built 356 America of 1953—and even keeping the Type 540 designation—the now-legendary, Reutter-built Speedster arrived in 1954. Its creation was largely driven by Porsche’s U.S. importer, Max Hoffman, who clearly understood American buyers and persuaded the factory to produce models tailored specifically to that market. Built...
Porsche 356/1 Pictures Today we call the first mid-engined Porsche roadster as 356/1 (or 356 no. 1) to distinguish it from the rear-engined Porsches that followed. Below we have an assortment of photos we curated of the first prototype cars....
Under the leadership of Ferdinand Porsche’s son, Ferry Porsche, the 356 was envisioned as a lightweight, nimble two-seat sports car. It featured independent suspension at all four corners and a rear-mounted, air-cooled four-cylinder engine. Erwin Komenda penned the now-iconic body shape, which was initially hand-formed in lightweight aluminum before later...
1956 – 1957 Porsche 356A/1300 Cabriolet Pictures & Gallery...
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Despite looking outwardly similar to the preceding models, Porsche thoroughly updated their 356 line in 1956 and called their new model the 356A. At the core, this included a larger 1600 cc engine, but also a curved-glass windshield and a thoroughly revised suspension. At the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show in September of 1955, Porsche released the 356A/1600 to the world with cabriolet, coupe and speedster bodies from Reutter. Produced in 1959 only, the Porsche 356 Convertible D was the replacement for the 356 A Speedster, which was discontinued after 1958.
Celebrations for the #55 Porsche 550 Spyder after finishing third in the 1954 La Carrera Panamericana. Sitting on the #55 car is Herbert Linge (left and Hans Herrmann (right). Sitting on the #56 car is driver Jaroslav Juhan with Porsche PR supremo Baron Huschke von Hanstein standing between the drivers...
This 1957 Porsche 356 A Carrera GT/GT Lightweight Coupe (chassis 100913), offered by Broad Arrow Private Sales, is one of just 26 factory-built competition models produced that year—making it one of the rarest and most authentic racing Porsches of its time. Delivered new to Hoffman Motors in New York on...
1952 – 1955 Porsche 356/1500 Cabriolet (Pre-A) Pictures & Gallery...
Back in 2012 I found a car in Tuscon Arizona, it was a 1958 Porsche 356A T2 coupe. It was in terrible condition and was owned by a former gold miner by the name of Jonathan Marshall. The car had crates for floor panels, most of the interior was in...
It’s a rare and privileged opportunity for a vehicle to be inducted into the National Register of Historic Vehicles and an even rarer moment when it’s a Porsche. The Hagerty Drivers Foundation erected its mobile museum on the National Mall in Washington D.C., among numerous museums and galleries of The...
Common Problems with the Porsche 356: What Every Buyer and Owner Should Know For classic car enthusiasts, the Porsche 356 stands as one of the most iconic and desirable vintage sports cars. As Porsche’s first production model, the 356 represents a blend of timeless design, spirited performance, and German engineering...
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Porsche 356 Spare Parts Catalogs (1950 – 1959 Model Year) Porsche 356/356A Parts These official Porsche PET Diagrams and codes for the 1950 to 1959 Porsche 356 models are free for your to download and view. Whether you’re working on your own Porsche 356 and need the total parts guide or...
Video featuring Tordoff’s impressive run from last to 2nd in his Porsche 356 in the Fordwater Trophy at the Goodwood Revival 2018...
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Electrogenic, a UK firm is responsible for the conversion of this classic 1963 Porsche 356 into a full-blown EV. The car shop swapped out the car’s Boxer-Four engine in favour of an electric motor and battery pack. The Porsche 356 is the forebear of the legendary 911 sports car. The...
It’s rare for a car to be considered as a part of a family. But this Porsche 356 Speedster managed to become not just a car but a family member as well. Watch the video to know more about this interesting story. ...
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A Drive In the Emory Outlaw Roadster This 1960 Porsche 356 Roadster is a rather unique example of the Emory Outlaw essence. It features a 205-hp, 2,650 cc FAT 914 engine, 911 rear suspension, 911 5-speed transmission, aluminum hood, tonneau cover & headrest fairing and a Speedster windshield. There are many...
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The Porsche 356 Pre A Coupe and Cabriolet were introduced in 1950 and was available through mid-1955. Beginning in 1950 it was offered with a 1100 cc flat four that produced 40 hp. In 1951, a bigger 1.3-litre Type 506 engine was announced. It marked the first significant move away from the original Volkswagen unit. Bored from 73.5mm to 80mm (stroke was unchanged at 64mm), displacement rose from 1086cc to 1286cc. Further enhancements included lightweight alloy cylinder barrels and nosed pistons. Output rose from 40 bhp to 44 bhp and torque increased from 51 lb-ft to 60 lb-ft.
1960 – 1961 Porsche 356B/1600 Super 90 GT Coupe Pictures & Gallery...
Beginning in 1954, a new version of the Pre A 356 was introduced that is now known as the Porsche 356 Pre-A Carrera, with a powerful engine that was available in coupe, cabriolet, and Speedster variants. Highly desirable today, the Carrera name denotes the race inspired 1500 cc four cam motor that produced an astounding 110 hp. Approximately 97 of these motors were produced sometime between 1954 and early 1955. The Carrera versions would continue in the next generation 356 as the Porsche 356 A Carrera.
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In the late 1950s, while senior engineers at Porsche struggled through studies for a successor to the 356, a new generation of Porsche family members was entering the business. Ferry Porsche’s eldest son, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, joined the family firm in 1957. Butzi Porsche—as he was known—spent his first nine...
1956 – 1959 Porsche 356A/1600 Super Speedster Pictures & Gallery...
Carrera Speedster In 1955, less than a year after the 356 Speedster model was introduced, Porsche built the first example equipped with the competition-derived four-cam Carrera engine. The result was a brilliant dual-purpose sports car, and the Carrera Speedster continued to be improved and refined throughout production. For 1957, Porsche...
Designed by Ferry Porsche, the 356 was based on the Volkswagen created by his father, Ferdinand Porsche. Like the ‘Beetle’, the 356 used a platform chassis with a rear-mounted air-cooled engine and torsion bar independent suspension. The 356 saw constant development, with its engine growing to 1.3 and then 1.5...
The man behind this 356 limousine is John Dixon who decided to create a personalized Porsche-based limousine for his daughter’s wedding. With the expertise of Don Boeke, known as “the Egyptian” at his Dayton, Ohio customizing shop, the unique 356 limousine took shape. Constructed from multiple stripped 356s, this...
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Highlights VIN 86773 Engine No. 84543 – Matching Transmission No. 33733 Porsche Kardex Completed on July 16, 1959 This 1959 Porsche 356A Super Convertible D represents one of the finest iterations of Porsche’s early open-top touring models. Finished in its original and desirable color combination of Silver Metallic (5706) over...
1957 Porsche 356A Outlaw Chuck Olenyk turned this coulda-been shoulda-been coupe into a classic speedster with all factory parts – by himself in his home garage!...
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1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar – chassis #WP0ZZZ93ZFS010015 (courtesy of RM Sotheby’s) Lot #196, the 1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar, outstripped its pre-sale estimate at RM Sotheby’s Porsche 70th Anniversary Auction at the Porsche Experience Centre Atlanta. With a pre-sale estimate of between $3.0m-3.4m, the 959 sold for a final $5,945,000, almost...
A Beautiful Piece of Porsche History The 1960 Porsche 356B Roadster is an automotive icon. The vehicle is one of those highly sought after cars by collectors. That makes this particular one that’s for sale on Bring A Trailer special. The car has low miles (about 6,000) and looks absolutely...
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In the fragile postwar years, the team behind the first Porsche was driven by two forces: stubborn ambition and harsh reality. They had the vision for a true sports car, but building one was another matter entirely. The sleek shape of the Porsche 356 came together relatively quickly, but under...
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Porsche 356 Production & Chassis Numbers (1950 – 1965) The evolution of the 356 was constant throughout its production history. Changes were introduced in the middle of a model year, necessitating inspection of the manufacturing year as well as the sales model year to really understand the total production numbers....
The Porsche 356/1 was the first real car created by Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche. This prototype car was a two-seater open roadster with a mid-mounted, air-cooled flat-4 engine of 1,131 cc displacement. While the body was an original design, most of the mechanicals were from the Volkswagen Beetle. Only one 356/1 was made.
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After a considerable absence of a Carrera model in the 356 model lineup, Porsche finally made another version with the introduction of a 2.0-liter engine. As with the earlier versions, the Carrera was offered both in a Carrera GT Deluxe version for the road and the Carrera GT for racetrack duties. Unlike these earlier models, the new car benefited from the 2.0 liter engine introduced as the Carrera 2 in September 1962.
We Love This 1964 Porsche 356 Why does Catherine Sutton drive? Because looking after her car is a choice, not a chore. She presides over her 1964 Porsche 356 with its wrinkles and patina as if it were a loved one, carefully operating the clockwork of its clutch and accelerator,...
1952 Porsche-Glöckler 356 Roadster Pictures & Gallery...
Porsche 356/2 Gmünd Cabriolet Pictures Of the 50 cars made in Gmünd, only eight were built up as cabriolets. Each was outsourced for its body and interior construction with six going to Beutler who constructed them with a slightly different shape than the factory coupes. Included was a kicked-up rear...
1955 Porsche 356/1500 Continental Coupe Pictures & Gallery...
Porsche – The Golden Years: Leonardo Acerbi © Virtual Motorpix/Glen Smale It is always a pleasure when a top-quality book lands on my desk, so when Porsche – The Golden Years arrived at the Porsche Road & Race offices, I was especially pleased. We had the pleasure of reviewing Ferrari...
In May of 1957, Porsche offered two distinct versions of the Carrera, one called the de Luxe for the street and this model, the Gran Turismo, for the track. The main difference between the two models was weight. The Carrera GT was a purpose-built car with little on board amenities. For instance, no heater was fitted giving the car its 'icebox' nickname. Furthermore, the interior was stripped of sound deadening, side windows were replaced by pull-up Perspex units and only simple door panels were fitted.
The Auratium Green 356 A Type 2 Please turn on Closed Captions to enjoy this film in English. This is the story of following a trail of gas into the a tractor barn. It is a story of a family legacy of mechanical inclination and a desire to learn from...




































































































